Fireplace screen



June 30, 1970 sPRlNGER ETAL 3,517,660

FIREPLACE SCREEN Filed Jan. 28, 1969- 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 20 k 29 mg 36 \v102 30 32 gzg gg 26 4 0 29 26 FIG.

LEONARD v JFK/F0628 ABRAHAM o. M3537;

INVENTORS .Jnru/ ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,517,660 FIREPLACESCREEN Leonard Springer, Tenafly, N.J., and Abraham D. Lambert, AtlanticBeach, N.Y., assignors to Knickerbocker Metal Guild, Inc.

Filed Jan. 28, 1969, Ser. No. 794,664 Int. Cl. F24c 15/36 U.S. Cl.126--139 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The frame of a fireplacescreen is fabricated from a plurality of extruded sections securedtogether with su1t able fastening means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally tofireplace screen and more particularly to a low cost, easily assembledfireplace screen, the frame of which is fabricated from extrudedsections.

Fireplace screens of the type to be descirbed hereinafter have been madefrom panel members that are secured together in order to form a frame onwhich doors are hung. The prior art structure is unnecessarily expensivedue to the fact that precision machining and assembling is required.Relatively highly skilled labor must be used to cut the frame sectionsto their proper length and to assemble the frame sections. Should amistake be made in machining any one of the frame sections a relativelycostly piece of material must be discarded.

By way of contrast, the present invention is low in cost as compared tothe prior art and may be assembled by unskilled labor. The frame of thepresent invention is comprised of a plurality of extruded members eachof which has integral channels for receiving interlocking fasteningmeans. Threaded fasteners are required only to hold adjacent sectionstogether at mitered intersections.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providean improved fireplace screen.

It is another important object of this invention to provide a fireplacescreen that is relatively low in cost and simple to manufacture.

A particular object of this invention is to provide a fireplace screen,as described above, wherein a multisection extruded frame is provided.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the invention will,in part, be pointed out with particularity and will, in part, becomeobvious from the following more detailed description of the inventiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which forms anintegral part thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the various figures of the drawinglike reference characters designate like parts.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, in perspective, illustrating theglass door fireplace screen comprising this invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, rear eleveational view on an enlarged scale andpartly in section, illustrating a typical corner assembly of thestructure shown in FIG. 1;-

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional, plan view taken along line 4-4 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional, elevational view taken along line5-5 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional, elevational view, similar to FIG. 5and taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

3,517,660 Patented June 30, 1970 Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of thedrawing, there is shown an improved fireplace screen, generallydesignated by the reference character 10. The screen is comprised of aframe member 12 on which are hingedly mounted a pair of outwardlyopening doors 14. The lower section of the frame is perforated as shownby reference character 16 and includes an outwardly extending knob 18which provides damper control means which will be described more fullyhereinafter.

As may best be seen in FIG. 2, the fireplace screen 10 is secured to thewalls by laterally extending threaded members 20 in a manner that willbe explained more fully hereinafter. The threaded members 20 areaccessible from the front when the doors 14 are open. When the threadedmembers are moved axially (laterally) the free ends thereof will engagerigid wall surfaces in order to secure the fireplace screen in place.The frame 12 is comprised of a plurality of extruded sections 22, eachof which has a mitered end, and fastener means for securing adjacentframe sections to each other.

To best understand the present invention, reference may be had to FIGS.3 and 4 wherein a typical corner assembly of two adjacent sections 22 isillustrated. The four sections 22 are identical, as extrusions, so thatonly one need be described. Each extruded frame section 22 is comprisedof a first wall 24 that defines a front surface 25 of the fireplacescreen 10. A second wall 26 extends integrally with and rearwardly fromthe outer end of the first wall 24. The second wall 26 defines the outerperipheral surface 27 of the fireplace screen =10. A third wall 28,defining a rear surface 29 of the fireplace screen 10, extends inwardlyfrom the end of the second wall 26 that is opposite to the first wall24. The third wall 28 is parallel to and spaced from the first wall 24and includes, at its innermost end, a first forwardly directed lip 30.The first wall 24 has, integral therewith, a fourth wall 32 that is inspaced, parallel relationship with the second wall 26. The fourth Wall32 is in the same plane as the lip 30 and extends in the oppositedirection, that is, rearwardly. Walls 24, 26, 28 and 32 together withthe first lip 30 define a first channel 34'. The fourth wall 32 is alsoprovided with an integral, second channel 36, the function of which willbe described hereinafter.

A fifth wall 38 is formed integrally with the first wall 24 in spacedparallel relationship with the second and fourth walls, 26 and 32,respectively; the fifth wall being formed proximate the inner edge ofthe extruded section 22. A sixth wall 40 is formed integral with thefifth wall 38 and is spacedly parallel to the first wall 24. The fifthand sixth walls .38 and 40, respectively, define a T- shapedarrangement. Seventh and eighth walls 42 and 43 are integral with andextend rearwardly of the sixth wall 40 and are provided with second andthird lips 44 and 46, respectively. The lips 44 and 46 extend towardeach other in a common plane and are parallel to the sixth Wall 40. Theseventh wall 42 terminates in a fourth lip 48 that extends in the samedirection as, is parallel to, and is spaced from, the second lip 44. Thesixth, seventh and eighth walls 40, 42, and 44 together with the secondand third lips 44 and 46 define a third channel 50. It will be furthernoted that the fifth wall is provided with a first integral dovetailgroove 52.

Adjacent extruded sections 22 are assembled by utilizing the first,second and third channels, 34, 36 and 50, respectively. A first L-shapedretaining member 54 is inserted into two adjacent, contiguous firstchannels 34 that are formed proximate the outer edge of the framesections 22. The inner edge of the frame sections 22 are secured to eachother by inserting a chevron-shaped retaining member 56 into adjacent,contiguous third channels 50. The first lip 30 may be peened at variousplaces,

(I) a plurality of extruded frame sections (22) defining top, bottom andopposite side members, each said frame section comprising:

as shown by the reference character 58, in order to secure the L-shapedretaining member 54 and the second lip 46 may be peened as shown at 60in order to secure the chevron-shaped retaining member 56 in place.

The four frame sections 22 are further secured to each (A) a first wall(24) defining a front surface (25) of said screen;

other by means of screws 62 which are inserted into mat- 5 (B) a secondwall (26) integral with said first ing threads formed in the secondchannel 36. To facilitate wall (24) at the outer end thereof andextending machining, the second channel 36 is tubular so that it mayrearwardly in a direction substantially perpenbe tapped directly withoutfirst having to drill a suitable dicular to the plane of said first wall(24), said pilot hole. second wall (26) defining an outer peripheralFIG. 5 illustrates means for supporting a bracket 70 surface (27) ofsaid screen; in which the threaded members 20, mentioned above, are (C)a third wall (28) integral with said second supported. The upper framesection 22 is cut away, as wall (26) at the end thereof opposite saidshown by reference character 72, in order to permit inserfirst wall(24), said third wall (28) extendtion of a portion of the bracket 70into the third channel ing inwardly in a plane substantially paral- 50.The bracket 70 is comprised of a base section 74 and lel to and spacedfrom said first wall (24), said a rearwardly extending arm 76 integraltherewith. The third Wall (28) defining a rear surface (29) Ofcombination of the base section 74 and a rearwardly ex- Said S reen;tending arm 76 define a T with the base section 74 slid- (D) a firs ip(30) integral wi h th nd Of said ably mounted in the third channel 50.The base section third Wall pp to Said second wall 74 is secured inposition by any suitable fastening means, a fi st lip (30) exte dingsubstantially a set screw 78 extending through the sixth wall 40 beingparallel to said wall 6) and in a dir t on t shown by way of example. Itwill be seen in FIG. 5 that Wards Said first Wall the arm 76 is providedwith inwardly directed grooves 80 a fourth Wall integral With andextendand 82 in which the second and third lips 44 and 46, re- 25 grearwardly from Said rst W i spectively, are disposed. One edge of thearm 76 rests on Spaced, Substantially Parallel relationship With thefourth lip 48. said second wall (26) and in substantially the FIG. 6illustrates the damper control arrangement men- Same Plane as Said firstP tioned above. Cutout 84 is provided in the sixth and eighth Saidfirst, Second, third and f th Wa Walls 40 and 43, respectively, topermit a damper slide 30 and said first P 86 to be mounted in a secondgroove 88 defined by the defining, in Combination a st Chann spacebetween the second channel 36 and the rearward surface of the first wall24. A screw 90 extends through a Second Channel integral With Said theupper, thickened portion of the damper slide 86 and fourth Wall SaidSecond Channel avi g t d h h an elongated Opening 9 f d in thelongitudinal axis in a plane substantially paralfirst wall 24. The knob18 is threadably secured to the 161 to the Plane of Said fourth Wallscrew 90 and serves as means for laterally moving the (G) a fifth Wall(38) formed inte'rauy with damper slide 86 within the limits provided bythe elon- Sald f proximate the ends thereof gated opening 92. The damperslide 86 is also perforated PPS1te Sa1d Second Wall Said fifth Wall sothat when it is moved laterally the effective size of the 40 (38) bemgSubstantially perPendicular t0 Said f ti winbe changed first wa(lild(24) and extending therefrom in a Referring once again to FIG. 4, it willbe seen that a rearwaf lrectlon; Z-shaped hinge bracket 96 is positionedin the dovetail (H) T mtegia1 W1th.the end of groove 52. At its outerend, the Z-shaped bracket 96 is 2 t opposlte to .Sald first WallProvided with a Partially tubular free end 98 in order to u fi iperpenduiulal: to the receive a hinge pin 100. The Z-shaped hingebracket 96 3 63 a t Wa 1d sixth is secured rigidly in the dovetailgroove 52, for example, en mg in opposite lrectloils from Sald b fifthwall (38) in a plane substantially parallel y peening a lip 102 111 themanner described hereinabove. to the lane of Said first Wall (24 Thedoors 14 are provided with complimentary hinge (I) a segenth W H (42 t hbrackets 104 so as to facilitate the movement thereof. a m egra one endof said sixth wall (40) and extending therefrom From the foregoing itwill be appreciated that the conin a rearward direction and 1 b tstruction of the present invention is very inexpensive. The tantianyperpendicular to 3 g g g z i 3 cpst of the extrusion die may beamortized over many feet (J) an eighth Wall (43,) integral with anextending o extruded frame section. Assembly is accomplished in 55rearwardly of Said Sixth Wall (40) at the end the simplest manner,merely by inserting L-shaped and thereof opposite to said seventh wall(42), said chevron-shaped retaining members into contiguous chaneighthwall (43) being substantially perpennels formed by the extrusion.Drilling operations are redicular to said sixth wall (40) and in a planequired only for the screws used to further secure frame PamI161 t0 andSpaced from Said e h Wa sections to each other and this is simplified bytapping into a tubular portion of the extrusion, thus eliminating asecond P integral h d ubstanthe need for predrilling. While it has notbeen particuwilly perpenfhcular to said seventh Wall larly emphasized,it should be clear that because of its Said f i hp (44) beingsubstaniiflny parallel ease of assembly the present invention lendsitself to to l slxth Wan {4.0) and Posmoned inter knockeddown shipmentmediate the extrem ties of said seventh wall Having disclosed the bestembodiment of the invention gig ig zig ggg 3 fi a db presentlycontemplated, it is to be understood that various Secon Yva )3 (L) athird lip (46) mtergal with said eighth wall changes and modificationsmay be made by those skilled (43) proximate h d h of opposite t id inthe art without departing from the spirit of the invenixth wall (4),said third lip (46) being ubnot);h stantially parallel to said sixthwall (40) and in at we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters thesame plane as said second lip (44), said Patent is: third lip (46)extending in a direction toward 1. n annular frame (12) for a fireplacescreen (10) said second lip (44); comprising: (a) said sixth, seventhand eighth walls (40,

42, 43) and said second and third lips (44, 46) defining, incombination, a third channel (50); and

(II) fastening means for securing said sections to each other.

2. The frame in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first channels(34) are contiguous and said fastening means are comprised of aplurality of L-shaped retaining members (54) positioned in the ends ofsaid first channels (34) at the juncture of two adjacent ones of saidextruded frame sections.

3. The frame in accordance with claim 2, wherein said first lips (3) arepeened in the vicinity (58) of said L- shaped retaining members (54)whereby said L-shaped retaining members (54) are prevented from moving.

4. The frame in accordance with claim 1, wherein said third channels(50) are contiguous and said fastening means comprises a plurality ofchevron-shaped retaining members (56) positioned in the ends of saidthird channels (50) at the juncture of two adjacent ones of saidextruded frame sections.

5. The frame in accordance with claim 4, wherein said third lips (46)are peened in the vicinity (60) of said chevron-shaped retaining members(56) whereby said chevron-shaped retaining members (56) are preventedfrom moving.

6. The frame is accordance with claim 1, wherein said second channels(36) are tubular and said fastening means comprises a plurality ofscrews (62) threadably secured in said second channels (36).

7. The frame in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fifth wall (38)includes a dovetail groove (52) and there is further included aplurality of Z-shaped hinge brackets (96) positioned in said dovetailgrooves in said side members.

8. The frame in accordance with claim 7 wherein said fifth wall (38) ispeened (102) to thereby prevent movement of said Z-shaped brackets (96)in said dovetail groove (52).

9. The frame in accordance with claim 1, wherein said bottom one of saidextruded frame sections is perforated (16) and there is included agroove (88) immediately adjacent the rearward surface of at least saidperforated frame section, there being further included a perforateddamper slide (86) slidably mounted in said groove (88), said damperslide (86) being laterally movable from a position in front of saidfireplace screen ,whereby the registry of the perforations in saidbottom frame section and in said damper slide (86) may be varied.

10. The frame in accordance with claim 1, wherein there is furtherincluded a plurality of T-shaped brackets (70) each having a baseportion (74) and an arm portion (76), said base portion (74) beingslidably mounted in said third channels of said top and bottom framesections, each of said arms (76) extending rearwardly and having athreaded opening therein, each of said arms being further provided withfirst and second grooves (80, 82) adapted to mate with said second andthird lips (44, 46) respectively, said arm portion (76) of said T-shapedbracket resting on said fourth lip (48), there being further included athreaded rod (20) extending through said threaded opening in each saidarm portion (76) of each said bracket (70), said rods (20) being adaptedto engage the inside walls of the fireplace.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,717,667 9/ 1955 Bancroft.3,106,269 10/ 1963 Revell et al. 3,457,907 7/ 1969 Brunig 126-140CHARLES I. MYHRE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

